Weight-registering mechanism.



PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

W. A. KENNEDY. WEIGHT REGISTERING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8, 1904. FIG. 1.

2 SHBETSSHEET 1.

Q 1.2. 2 m I K .5 m 1 K Au 0U WI r H M 0 RJLD T FIG. 8.

INVENTOR PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905.

ITO-808,091,

W. A. KENNEDY.

WEIGHT REGISTERING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8. 1904.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

FIG. 3,

INVENUR. WM. A, KENNEDY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WElGHT-REGISTERING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed August 8, 1904. Serial No. 219,996.

To all whom, it Wwty concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ALBERT KEN- NEDY, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing at Apple Hill, in the Province of OntarioandDominion of Canada, have invented a new and useful Weight-RegisteringMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates, broadly, to improvements in that class ofmechanical devices which have for their object the registration of theindividual masses of various objects, and more especially to mechanismsof the type designated as weight-registering devices, which providemeans whereby the weights of varying loads may be automatically andacurately determined, especially such as are designed more particularlyto meet the requirements of persons engaged in a lacteal business, andit substantially comprises the general construction and combination ofparts presently to be set forth.

Every person skilled in the arts to which my invention appertainsappreciates the advantages of having some means which, while composed ofthe fewest parts and of the greatest simplicity of design, willnevertheless accurately and easily produce a record of such objects asare weighed by the same.

It is essential for the proper management of large dairy farms and otherbusinesses depending upon milk from cows that the producing rate of eachcow be carefully recorded for frequent consideration, as it is evidentthat economy and competition will not permit of the caretaking andfeeding of non-producing animals. It has hitherto been a diflicultmatter to do this because of the practical difficulties in the way; andit is therefore a main object of my invention to formulate a devicewhich will in a more or less automatic manner materially assist in theproduction of such a record and which will do so with as littlemanipulation as possible.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a mechanism adapted andintended to register and record the weight of each load automaticallyregardless of the fact that the loads may be of varying sizes, weights,and quantities.

Another object of my invention consists, therefore, in the skilful andsystematic arrangement or adaption of a complete weightregistering meansfor the attainment of a device which will be of few parts, capable ofeconomical construction, and which permits of being easily assembledinto an operative form of great compactness, occupying a minimum amountof space and so constructed as to permit of ready inspection of theessential ele ments thereof and at the same time present a form which,because of its great simplicityof operation, will be easily and eflectivelyunderstood and controlled by all those using the same.

A further object of my invention is a construction embodying theforegoing advantages which will be always ready for immediate operationwithout any trouble other than the application of the masses to berecorded to the proper members thereof with an accompanying elementarymotion of the proper handle or lever thereof.

A still further object of my invention lies in the creation of a deviceof the above-explained character more particularly adapted for making arecord of the amount of milk produced at certain intervals by each of anumber of cows or other milk-bearing animals.

Further objects and ad vantages will appear upon reference to thefollowing description and claims when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like letters-of reference denotecorresponding parts throughout all the figures, of which Figure 1 is ageneral detail in perspective with certain exterior coverings removed,thereby giving an insight into the general arrangement of some of theoperative elements. Fig. 2 represents a detail in elevation, show ingcertain parts in section. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, partly insection. Fig. trepresents a front elevation of my device, showing, as inthe previous figures, parts in section.

As I have shown by the figures, the operative elements of my inventionmay be substantially encompassed for convenience and protection byasuitable casing A, which preferably I embody in a form so devised as tooffer facilities for easy removal of certain detachable parts, therebyaflording a ready inspection of its inclosures. Upon an exterior face ofsuch casing, which for convenience I will designate as a 'front face, Iprovide a means which may be operated to control the position of theregistration upon the recordpaper. This I will now describe in detail.

Ocwriage-shift.This consists, essentially, of a dial B, which may be ofany design preferred or, as I have shown in my drawings,

TOO

in the likeness of an annular ring. Upon such dial I providesubdivisions (shown by C) which are distinguished by designationsrelating to the cows or other sources of the products, the masses ofwhich are to be recorded through the instrumentality of my invention.Such subdivisions I prefer to have so designed that they will permit ofa temporary fixed engagement with an indicatinglever of some desirableconstruction. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated such a fabrication,and upon reference thereto it will be seen that I employ a key D, whichis provided with a suitable projection D, and model the subdivision C inthe form of cavity, so shaped that it will receive the key D and permitsame to be rotated therein to a sufficient extent to securely lock it inplace against the shoulder C. It is to be understood, however, that manyways of accomplishing such temporary engagements are known and used inthe various trades and that I do not limit myself to the use of suchforms as are shown by these figures. This key D is revolubly orotherwise suitably mounted upon an arm E, which is hinged to an adjacentarm E at the point E and is furthermore fixed to the end of thelaterallymovable shaft F by means of a slot-and-pin hearing, as shown atE. By such an artifice all movements of the arm E about the hinge Eresult in a proportional lateral movement by suitable bearings providedin the casing front A, this being shown more particularly in Fig. 2. Themember G, extended, carries affixed thereto a gear H. It will thus beseen from the foregoing that parts H, G, E, and E are capable ofrevolution together. It will now be understood that all variation in theposition of such arm E will result in a corresponding relative rotationof the gear H, the latter in turn transforming such rotation into atranslation of the meshing rack I, which, because of the upturnedengaging arms I, will carry with it the record-carriage J.

Carriaga-The carriage, which I have designated by J, in my presentadaptation carries three rollers K, K, and K, respectively, K being aroller carrying a reserve supply of paper K, upon which the records areto be made, while the roller K, over which such paper passes, serves asa backing for holding such paper for the impression of the type mountedupon the contacting type-wheel, presently to be described, and theroller K serves to hold such paper tightly upon the roller K. This paperK is fed into a suitable chamber and may beremoved therefrom by raisingthe lid J, as is partially shown in Fig. 2, such lid being hinged uponthe periphery of the record-carriage J at J.

Passing through the carriage is a revoluble shaft M, rectangular incrosssection, so mounted that the shaft is free to revolve and slidetherein, this being accomplished by the bore of the carriage being ofsufficient diameter to permit of the revolution of the shaft therein.Such revolution, however, is lin1- ited to a certain extent by the plate0, having the circumferential slot 0. Such plate has an aperturecorresponding to the cross-section of the shaft, which will permit it toslide but not revolve thereon. In order to further inerease the strengthand stability of this limiting structure, it is mounted, by means ofpins or rivets O, to the piece 0, having a similar shaft-aperture.Between the two I station a coiled spring fastened at one end to thisstructure 0 and at the other end embracing a pin 0, mounted on the endof the carriage within the circumferential groove 0. Thus it will beseen from what has been heretofore described that this mechanism willpermit of a limited rotation of the carriage about the shaft against thetension of the coiled spring, but owing to the latter the generaltendency of the carriage will be to retain the relative position shownin Fig. 2. A retation of the handle I which is mounted upon the endofthe shaft M, will cause a rotation of the carriage substantiallytherewith, which rotation, however, will be checked when the rod Q,which is revolubly mounted upon the shaft M and slidably mounted in theperiphery of the carriage, comes into contact with the lug R, it beingshown in such position in Fig. 3. Upon continuing the rotation of thehandle after such contact the arm S, which is firmly fixed to the shaftM, will swing about the same into abutment with the stop T, as shownmore clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. hen such contact ensues, the shaft M willbe forced to assume a forward position in the laterally-extended bearingU, within which it is mounted. (See Fig. 3.) A spring M, as shown inFig. 3, tends to return the handle to its original position. It willthus be seen that simply by a partial rotation of the crank P thecarriage will be revolved until the record-roll K is opposite theindicating or imprinting wheel, and then by a further slight movementofthis handle it will be moved laterally against the same. Without anyalteration in its angular position the proper imprint will be made uponthe record-paper, and upon raising the handle P this cycle will bereversed. It is to be noted that such imprinting-wheel should preferablybe freshly inked prior to each contact, and for the attainment of suchend I employ a suitable inking-roll L, revolubly affixed against lateraldisplacement upon the supporting-rod T, which latter is joined to therod Q and is so journaled in the periphery of the carriage that thelatter may freely slide along the rod T.

1V6Mat-indicating vzwc/rmrz'swt.-I will now describe the means I employfor imprinting proper digital characters designating weights upon therecord-paper. For the purpose of obtaining a relative movement of mydevice IIO which will be proportional to the weight to be recorded Iemploy a properly-constructed spring V, which is swung at its upper endfrom a perpendicularly adjustable rod V, mounted, as will readily beseen by inspection of Fig. 2, in a bearing arranged for the purpose. Therod V is threaded, as shown, so as to engage with the thumb-screw V,bearing upon the outside of the casing. The lower end of the spring isunited to a rod V, whose lower end is made in a form suitable foraflixing the buckets or weights to be attached thereto. This stem V issuitably fastened to the rack-bearing plate W, which latter is somounted as to permit of a vertical movement only, whereby the rack W,mounted thereon, will be continually in mesh with the corresponding gearWV, all as appears in the drawings. This gear is fixed upon a shaft X,mounted in antifriction-bearings, and at the other end carries twowheels, the one, X, being a wheel about the circumference of which areraised imprinting numbers or characters and the other, X, being in theform of a toothed wheel. The shaft may, if desired, be extended so as toterminate in an indicating-arm X upon the exterior of the casing, asshown in Fig. 3, whereby a ready and immediate inspection can be had ofeach of the weights'which are to be recorded. This indicating-arm X hasa further use in my invention in that after an empty bucket or otherreceptacle is attached to the arm V certain tare weight will be ofcourse shown by such indicating-arm. It is in such an event that thethumb-screw mechanism V becomes of value, as by screwing up the latterthe spring may be tensioned so that the indicating-arm X" will bebrought to zero and then upon the net weight being added to thereceptacle the precise and exact weight is indicated and brought intoposition to be recorded. I have found in practice that this adjustmentis so simple and easy that it can be done frequently withoutany'appreciable loss of time or effort.

Looking mec/Lam'sm.-It will be understood now that unless some holdingor locking means is employed the oscillations and vibrations of theweight which is hung from the spring V will render it difficult toobtain a correct imprint from the record-wheel upon the recordpaper.This, however, I am able to overcome as follows: By pressing in the armE a corresponding movement will be transmitted to the shaft F, which inturn will swing the springlever Y about its mounting, causing the upperend, which carries the pointed lug Y, to enter and occupy a spacebetween the teeth upon the circumference of the toothed wheel X,therebybringing and retaining it in a proper position, as will be easily seenby inspection of Fig. 2. I may, if desired, provide a further means forlocking the shaft F into its inward position, which consists of an armZ, provided with a slot at its upper end so designed that its uppermostportion is of the same diameter as the normal diameter shaft F, and atits lower portion it narrows down gradually to a less diameter, as willbe seen by inspection of 4. This arm is mounted in suitable bearings,(not shown,) which permit of its vertical movement, while securelyholding it against any transverse displacement. At its lower end it ispivotally attached to the crank-arm Z, extending from a shaft having atits other extremity a crank-arm Z' placed perpendicularly to the former,the whole substantially forming a bell-crank lever. As will be seen byinspection of Fig. 2, there is mounted upon the lattera catch Z, whichpermits of a downward movement of its long arm from the position thereshown, but an upward movement thereof will be checked by the abutment ofits short stop-lug against the arm Z. The operation of this catchmechanism is as follows: Bypressing in the arm E at any desiredcircumferential point shaft F is moved laterally, so that the depressiontherein F will pass into the slot in arm Z, the latter, immediatelyrising, embracing the reduced shaft portion within narrow part of theslot in its upper end, and thereby bring this end against the offsetshoulder of the depression F, thus effectually preventing-the latterfrom a lateral outward movement. The carriage now upon being swung intooperative position by the shaft M, the latter will carry with it the armS, which will contact in its revolution with the long arm of Z, therebydepressing the latter without disturbing the angular position of the armZ. imprint has been made and the carriage released and returned to itsformer position, this arm S in its upward movement will engage with Z;but because of the construction heretofore described this will notpermit of any backward rotation about its pivotal connection to the armZ and will therefore swing the latter arm back and, as will be seen,release the shaft F, so that it may return to its original forwardposition.

It is apparent from the preceding that I have attained the essentialdesideratum of an automatic weighing-machine of the present type wherebythe same is provided with a weighing mechanism embodying a load-receiver movable different distances cor responding to the loads weighed,the same being, furthermore, provided with a registering mechanismhaving varying registering movements corresponding to the varyingmovements of the load-receiver which, essentially, consists of arecorder controlled and operated by the weighing mechanism forregistering or recording the exact amount of each one of a series ofvarying loads.

Having thus described my invention so that the same will be readilyunderstood and capable of being constructed and put into operation bythose skilled in the arts to which it hen, however, the proper IIOappertains, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A weight-registering mechanism comprising a record-carriage revolubly longitudinally and laterally movable, means for producing andlimiting such movement and means for weighing and recording weights uponsuch record-carriage and tare-eliminating means therefor, substantiallyas described.

2. A weight-registering mechanism comprising a record-carriage capableof a revoluble and longitudinal movement, actuating and limiting meanstherefor, a weight-operated device for positioning characters, and meansforimprinting such characters upon such car riage, substantially asdescribed.

3. Incombinationalongitudinally-movable record-carriage, means forproducing and limiting such movement and weight-operated means forpositioning characters representing the respective weights against suchcarriage, substantially as described.

4:. In a weight-registering mechanism, the combination of the revolubleshaft, and record-carrying carriage arranged for rotation andtranslation thereon, transversely-widened bearings within which saidshaft is journaled and means for revolving said shaft and transverselymoving it across the width of said bearing, substantially as described.

5. A weight-registering mechanism comprising in combination a revolubleshaft, a record carrying carriage slidably arranged thereon andrevoluble therewith,transverselyextended bearings within which saidshaft is journaled for rotation and translation therein and means forproducing such movement, substantially as described.

6. In combination, a revoluble and transversely-movable shaft, arecord-carrying carriage arranged thereon bearings within which saidshaft is journaled whereby such movementis provided for and means forrevolving said shaft and transversely moving it upon said bearing,substantially as described.

7. A weight-registering mechanism comprising an index-pointer, arecord-bearing carriage upon ashaftand revoluble independently thereof,means for revolving said carriage and transversely moving same intocontact with an imprinting mechanism and a weight-adjustable mechanismfor controlling such imprinting mechanism, substantially asindex-pointer a record-bearing carriage longitudinally shiftable by thelatter, means for revolving said carriage and transversely moving sameagainst a registering mechanism, means for relatively shifting saidregistering mechanism proportionally to weights applied thereto andmeans for locking same in alining positions, substantially as described.

10. In a weight-registering mechanism, a sleeve revolubly mounted butlaterally allixed within a suitable support, a shaft extendingtherethrough and revoluble therewith but longitudinally free to movetherethrough, an index-pointer hinged to said sleeve and controlling thelongitudinal movement of said shaft and means for locking such shaftagainst such longitudinal movement, substantially as described.

11. A weight-registering mechanism comprising in combination, a sleeve arevolublymounted shaft longitudinally movable therethrough and revolubletherewith, a. pointer hinged to said sleeve member and controlling thelongitudinal movement of said shaft, and a locking means for aiiixingsaid pointer opposite any one of a plurality of indicating positions,substantially as described.

12. In combination, a sleeve revolnbly affixed upon a suitable support,a shaft extending therethrough, revoluble therewith but longitudinallyfree, an index-pointer hinged to said sleeve member and said shaft andcontrolling the longitudinal movement of the latter, a locking deviceupon the end of said index-pointer and means whereto said locking membermay be affixed in a plurality of positions, substantially as described.

13. In a weight-registering mechanism, a longitudinally-shiftable andpartially-revoluble record-carriage, means for longitudinally shiftingsaid carriage into predetermined positions, a weight-operableregistering means, and means for transversely shifting said carriageinto contact therewith, substantially as described.

14:. In combination a longitudinally-shiftable and partially-revolublereeord-carriage, a record sheet mounted thereon, means forlongitudinally shifting said carriage into predetermined positions, aweight-operable indieating and imprinting means, and means for shiftingsaid carriage into contact with said record-sheet andtherebyimprintingupon the latter, substantially as described.

15. A weight-registering mechanism comprising a longitudinally-shiftableand revoluble record-carriage, a recordsheet thereon, means forlongitudinally shifting and means for locking. said carriage intopredetermined positions, a weight-operable indicating means, a lockingdevice therefor and means for shifting said carriage and record-sheetinto contact with the imprinting-snrface, substantially as described.

16. In a weight-registering mechanism,

with a laterally-adjustable recording-carriage transversely movable intocontact therewith, substantially as described.

18. Ina Weight-recording mechanism, a record-bearing carriage, apaper-supplying roller mounted thereon, a revoluble imprintingplatenaround the periphery of which the paper is adapted to be passed, afriction-roller for maintaining a tension upon said paper and a chamberadapted to receive the end of the paper bearing the record, a shaft uponwhich said carriage is laterally movable, guide-rods slidably extendingthrough said carriage for controlling the angular rotation thereof, eX-tensions radially disposed to said shaft, abutments against which saidextensions contact upon a partial rotation of said shaft whereby thelatter will be transversely displaced upon the continued rotationthereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses to this specification.

M. ALBERT KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

D. D. GRANT, ERNEST RIOUX.

